#rainnwilson

“Don’t listen to your critics, listen to your fans.” — Michael Scott

Andy: “I hate drama”

Erin: “You love drama”

Andy: “I know you’re right… I’m a total drama queen”

“I’m pretty good at politics. California is bankrupt! and California and California!”  — Michael Scott

“Why are you the way that you are? Honestly, every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it not that way.” — Michael Scott

“Oh it is on like Genghis Kahn wearing Sean Jean in Bhutan!” —Andy

Jim: “You ok?”

Dwight: “I am better than you have ever been or ever will be.”

Coughing hoarsely, Richie sniffled, rubbing his nose with the soaked sleeve of his hoodie. Eddie never liked when he did that. There were tissues in the glove compartment, but he was nervous about taking his eyes off the road. “On the phone,” Richie answered him.

“Richie, could you please just tell me? I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Eddie was in a panic. The windshield wipers weren’t quick against the beating rain. 

Taking a deep breath, Richie came clean telling him that he knew about how Eddie felt about him, how he didn’t feel that Richie was good enough. He informed him of how when he heard Eddie say that Richie was only holding him back from the life he wanted to live which was true because he was gone. How could they make a relationship out of that? Crying, Richie vowed to pack his things and get out of his life right now.

After an abrupt silence, Eddie had a very different reaction that what Richie was anticipating. He laughed. Tears fell from his eyes, but he laughed hysterically, pulling over to the side of the road so he could regain himself. Eddie leaned against the steering wheel, accidentally blaring the horn.

“Why is this so fucking funny to you?” Richie retorted, feeling hurt. He couldn’t stop shivering, almost making it hard to breathe without feeling achy. 

“Richie, man, you really thought that I was talking about you?” Eddie cackled, taking his hand. It was so cold. 

Blinking, Richie’s eyes darted, confused and afraid to meet Eddie’s understanding eyes. The heat from Eddie’s hand made him feel better, needing comfort. “Um... I did, right up until you started laughing like a hyena.”

Eddie struggled to get closer. Cars were so awkward for conversations like these. Tears fell from his eyes. Did he actually laugh himself to tears or did he scare him so badly that he made Eddie cry? Richie hated making Eddie cry. 

“Rich, Bev and I watch a similar soap opera.”

Richie’s eyes grew, smirking. “You watch the soaps?”

“Yes! What you heard me talking about was some guy on the show who was a horrible choice for this woman. That’s what I was talking about! Not you!”

Not sure whether to laugh at how absurd this was, or kick himself in the ass, Richie stared at Eddie, ashamed for scaring him. He had never been in a relationship before so he actually thought that he wasn’t going enough for Eddie. Sitting on a park bench in a torrential downpour didn’t make the situation better. 

“God, I’m sorry!” Richie shook his head, covering his mouth with his hand.

Eddie pulled him into a hug, kissing his soggy wet hair. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not okay!”

“Please, Richie, I need to get you home right now!” Eddie started up the car before they’d get stuck here. He wasn’t sure if he even parked near a sidewalk because this rain was so bad. 

“I can’t believe I did that,” Richie shook his head, feeling warm tears crawl down his cheeks.

“Richie, I would never think that you were not enough for me,” Eddie said to him as he slowly drove down the road.

“Are you mad?” Richie’s voice was so soft like a child.

“No.”

If Richie wasn’t so cold he’d feel better. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been out in the rain for. All week weather reports claimed that there was going to be an awful storm, enforcing that people leave work early and stay inside. He was alone. But Eddie found him on the park bench he’d always run to when he was upset.

As soon as they were home, Eddie heated up the shower to a suitable temperature and got rid of his damp clothes. Putting a set of warm clothes into the bathroom, he made hot cocoa for both of them. Cuddling under the warm comforter in their bed, Richie never took his eyes off Eddie as they cuddled together. His eyes were so heavy from the worry. Thunder blared outside.

“I’m sorry.”